Page 109 of Enchanted Heir
She held up a finger and walked over to open the door to the veranda.
Flora stepped into view and said lightly, “Surprise.”
I was flying to her, hugging her hard. “Are you serious?”
Silvia laughed. “He brought you the best designer to do it, too.”
I was so stunned, I almost needed to sit down. He brought me Flora? To make me a dress of my choosing?
“I have missed you so much, darling girl,” Flora said as she patted my back. “I hear your first dress was a hit. Can’t wait for what we decide to do for this.”
I pulled back. “Yes, about that. We didn’t really get to talk much at the Harvest Festival. It lit up, you brat! It was hard to go unnoticed when my dress was a beacon of attention.”
Flora grinned. “Mission accomplished then.”
I shook my head. “You knew I didn’t really want to be here, though.”
She cocked her head. “Seems to me you don’t mind it now.”
My lips twitched. “Fair point.”
Flora grabbed her bag from the veranda. “So. Let’s plan out your gown, shall we?” She paused. “What would you like to wear?”
It was entirely simple, but not. Krew had brought me Flora to design whatever gown I chose. Because it was the first ball that I could wear whatever I wanted, and he’d known me well enough to know that would mean something to me.
I was stunned. I was shocked. And I was grateful.
Keir had gifted me a dress once. He’d slept with Aiyana one night and then sent me a dress he picked out the very next morning. Meanwhile, Krew brought me a designer he knew I adored and let me choose my own dress.
The differences in my relationships with Keir and Krew had never felt more distinct.
* * *
Dinner had been boring.After dessert, the king and princes stood off to the side discussing some important matters. Completely unoffended by their leaving me out, I took that time to sip my water and take in the view of the forest. More snow was expected soon. It was our last lovely day for a while.
I had spent the afternoon designing and chatting with Flora long past the amount of time The Six were meeting. Between the card game with the other women and Flora’s surprise visit, it’d been a glorious day. Even the king’s comments at dinner couldn’t get to me.
It was a day like this that had me wondering why I had ever wanted my freedom from the castle to begin with. Krew was here. Owen was here. Rafe was here. The forest that needed my help was here. With another ball came two more consorts from each Assemblage leaving. Things should be winding down, my time to leave approaching. But instead of being ready to leave, I found I was more attached to this damned castle than ever before.
A hand snaked around my waist and I knew from the woodsy smell alone that Krew had found me.
“Hey,” I greeted.
He leaned his head against mine. “Ready to go?”
I nodded.
As we spun for the door, the king was watching us. “Jorah, dear, we will need another sample of blood this week. Krewan knows this, I just wanted to thank you for your continued cooperation.”
I gave him a nod. The newest spot his scientist had tried in the forest had just started growing grass. In the dead of winter. “Anything I can do to help the forest, Your Highness.”
Finally dismissed for the evening, we went back to Krew’s wing.
As we turned in for bed and laid there chatting, I traced my hands along the scars of his back. “May I ask a hard question?” My voice sounded as sleepy as I felt.
“Anything,” Krew said over his shoulder.
“Why didn’t you put the healing ointment you insist I put on every nick or scratch on these? Wouldn’t it have helped?”
